Transport system

ABSTRACT

A portable conveyor frame supporting a plurality of conveyors that are simultaneously and individually operative under selective control. Each conveyor has a pair of endless conveyor chains, the chains of each pair being interconnected by dogs movable over and supported on a platform. The platform has longitudinal grooves within which the conveyor chains are received along the upper flights.

m United States ate [151 3,643,785

Bostedt 1 Feb. 22, 1972 [54] TRANSPORT SYSTEM 2,788,927 4/1957 Hoffstetter 214/8336 UX [72] Inventor: Hans Gunnar Bostedt, 8 Drottninggatan, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Hudiksvall, Sweden 556,666 4/1958 Canada ..2l4/83.36 [22] mm July 1969 772,730 4/1957 Great Britain [21] Appl. No.: 845,934

Primary Examiner-Robert G. Sheridan Assistant Examiner-George F. Abraham [52] US. Cl ..198/75, 198/57, 214/38 BA,

214/8326, 214/8336 Attorney-Zalkmd, Home & Shuster [51] Int. Cl ..B60p l/36 58 Field ofSearch ..2l4/83.36,522,83.26,519; [571 ABSTRACT 198/173, A portable conveyor frame supporting a plurality of conveyors that are simultaneously and individually operative under [56] References C'ted selective control. Each conveyor has a pair of endless con- UNITED STATES PATENTS veyor chains, the chains of each pair being interconnected by dogs movable over and supported on a platform. The platform 1,341,239 5/1920 Mason ..2l4/5 19 ha l it di al grooves within which the conveyor chains are l Sacerdote received along the upper 2,563,418 8/1951 Peter ....214/83.36X 2,784,836 3/1957 Le Tourneau ..214/83.36 X 3 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures I "PATENIEDFEB22 I972 w I 3,643,785 urmur 11 PATENTEI] FEB 2 2 I972 SHEET 03UF11 PAIENTEDFEBZZ 1912 snztr "ow-1'1 Q /7405 670/04! Kai a/7:

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TRANSPORT SYSTEM At the loading and unloading of goods, especially on and from vehicles, heretofore loading cranes, trucks, dumping arrangements and the like have been used. The handling of the goods by these means was both troublesome and time-consuming. In the mining industry electrically operated shuttle cars and the like have been employed, together with a conveyor belt for distributing and unloading the load. The construction of these cars is heavy and clumsy, and the cars are adapted only for their special object within the mine.

As regards dumping arrangements, in addition to pump, valves and dumping cylinder with cradle they must comprise also a frame construction of double frame beams, further a lower frame placed on the support and an upper frame which is adapted to be tilted upwards and during the tipping operation provides stability to the platform bottom.

Conventional arrangements or systems for the loading and unloading of material onto and from cars, vehicles, airplanes etc., thus, have many disadvantages because of the difficult and time-consuming handling of the material.

One object of the present invention is to eliminate these disadvantages of known transport systems and to increase the loading and unloading speed as well as to facilitate the handling of the material.

A further object of the invention is to provide a transport system which is adapted for use at vehicles and haulage means of all types and which temporarily or permanently can be attached to the vehicle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a transport system which improves the loading capacity by prearranging the goods, whereafter the loading can be performed very rapidly as soon as the vehicle to be loaded with the goods has arrived.

A still further object is to provide an improved transport system which allows for a higher loading capacity of the vehicle comprised in the system, because the components of the transport system have a low weight.

With these objects in mind, according to the invention an improvement at transport systems is obtained which comprise in combination the following units arranged in a box, a platform or like support:

Conveyorchains mounted with their driving chain wheels and drive motors in one end of the support, alternatively in both ends, or with chain wheels in the other end of the support, dog members arranged on the conveyor chains which run over a fixed bottom in the support and rest against said bottom directly or via support bars, the return side of the chains running below the bottom on guide bars, and a sufficient number of chains and dog members so being provided that they extend across the entire support and scrape off the support upon unloading, the dog members simultaneously forming a movable bottom for the support of boxes, platforms 81C.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a plane view of the invention in its basic form as a support which at the same time is a conveyor for material loaded on the support.

FIG. 2 shows a corresponding side view.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of an altered embodiment where the arrangement is designed as the bottom in a storage container on a vehicle, railroad car etc.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the arrangement in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a section along the line 5-5 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 shows on an enlarged scale the guiding of the conveyor chain against the support bottom.

FIG. 7 shows an auxiliary attachment in the form of a hinged sidepiece or sideflap for containers, cars, platforms etc., seen from the side.

FIG. 8 shows the auxiliary attachment seen from above in a view along the line 88 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the invention built-in in a semitrailer intended, for example, for being loaded with chips.

FIG. 10 shows a view from above ofthe vehicle in FIG. 9.

FIGS. 11, 12,13 show sections along the lines 11-11, 12- 12 and 13-13, respectively, in FIG. 10 through the platform bottom.

FIGS. 14-17 show a platform of box design which is easy to mount on a vehicle chassis or the like.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown the unit which is the basic unit in a transport system according to the invention.

Said unit in its simplest form comprises a support, such as a frame or the like, on which are arranged conveyor chains 7 which at one end run over freewheeling chain wheels 13 and at the other end over driven chain wheels 10, said latter, for example, being driven by motors 28, such as electromotors. hydraulic motors etc. The conveyor chains are provided with dog members 14 which rest against the support so as to support and carry solid material at the same time as they are scraper means for loose material etc.

The construction of the transport arrangement also appears from the following description of different embodiments. It is to be understood that the invention can be altered and modified within the scope of the accompanying claims. Details, such as the drive at both ends, the design of scraper means and chains, the construction of the support as a box, platform, bottom in containers and other variations, changes etc., are to be regarded to fall withinthe scope of the invention.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show a side view, a plan view and a section through the invention designed as the bottom in a container for a car, vehicle etc.

The chain wheels 7, 8, 9 are guided over drive wheels 10, 11, 12 in one end of the platform and chain wheels 13 in the other end ofthe platform. In the drawing the conveyor chain is designed as a standard chain on which spacedly are arranged dog links 15 with dog members 14 mounted therein. Said dog members 14 need not be mounted on every link of the conveyor chain 7, 8, 9. The links and dog members 14 rest against support bars 17 and 18 mounted on the platform bottom 16 and against longitudinal distance beams 22 and edge sections 24 of the platform. The support bars may be subjected to lowfriction treatment, for example by being coated with teflon or the like 19 (FIG. 6).

The dog members are manufactured, for example, of rectangular tubes so as not to damage material of box or pallet type. The dog members 14 abut to the platform bottom 16 which they are intended to clean by scraping in connection with the unloading of bulk material such as, for example, gravel, chips and the like. The platform bottom is supported on suitably spaced crossbeams 20 according to a pattern known at fixed platform bottoms. On the beams 21 of the support is mounted a frame-stiffening distance beam 22 which is provided with guide bars 23 for the dog members 14 of the chain 7, 8, 9 returning below the crossbeams 20.

The edge section 24 is formed for fixed attachment to the crossbeams 20 and for holding a fixed carrying side flap 25. The inwardly bent lower edge 26 of said flap is formed so as to be a support for the dog members 14 of the lower chain 7, 8, 9. The stiffening and distance beams 22 are so designed that the lower chain runs free of the tires 27. The distance between the dog members of two adjacent chains exceeds only insignificantly the plate thickness in the beams 22.

Drive wheels 10, 11, 12 may be driven each by its hydraulic motor 28, 29, 30 which may be driven in parallel, in pairs or individually. Hydraulic oil to the hydraulic motors is delivered by a pump which in a usual way is connected to the power takeoff of the car engine. Control is effected by a standard valve so designed that one, two or three hydraulic motors receive oil. When several motors are connected, oil is supplied in parallel to them. Every conveyor belt 7, 8, 9, of course, may be driven by its pump so that its speed is not changed appreciably by moment variations.

The invention can be provided with an auxiliary unit according to FIGS. 7 and 8, which comprises a hinged rear piece or rear flap 31 with conveyor chains 32 and 33 which via a shaft 34 are connected with the chain wheel 13 at, for example, the conveyor chain 7 on a conveyor platform according to the invention. By means ofsaid hinged rear flap 31 when being in horizontal position, loading and unloading can take place to a roller conveyor 35 with material 36 and 37. The rear flap 31 being hinged down, material can be placed on or taken from ground level. In position 39 said rear flap is closed. In FIGS. 9 and the invention is shown built-in in a semitrailer intended, for example, for the loading of chips. Chips are material of increasing interest in the cellulose industry which seems to exchange roundwood storage for chip storage. Chip storage requires a storage time of 2-3 months, compared with 12-13 months for roundwood storage, for removing the resin from the wood so that it can be used for pulp preparation in the cellulose factory.

In FIGS. 11 and 12 the chain 111 is shown which is deflected over a front chain wheel 112 and a rear chain wheel 113. The mounting of said front chain wheel is provided with a stretching means 114 in a conventional way. The chain is provided with dog member links 115 of standard design in which the dog members 116 are secured, for example by welding.

From FIG. 13 which is a cross section of one-half of the platform bottom, it appears how dog members 116 operate above a fixed platform bottom 117 consisting, for example, of Silverline plywood which has specially low friction owing to a plastic coat in the surface layer. The front end wall and the side flaps also are coated with, for example, the same low-friction material on plywood boards 118 which are clamped on uprights 124 and 119.

The chain wheels 112, 113 and the front beam 120 as well as the side beam 121 have dimensions so agreeing with each other that the dog members can run over aplate 122 having openings 0 x b at the chain wheels for cleaning and for access to the chain wheels for cleaning and inspection. Said openings can be covered by easily removable covers for preventing the entrance of snow and the like. When loading the platform with, for example, chips or sawdust, the floor must be sealed carefully.

Owing to the fact that the floor 117 is made of whole tight slabs, and the side flaps can be designed so as to be in fixed connection with the floor, a good sealing against chips, sawdust, sand and similar bulk material is obtained. The sealing at the chain and above passing dog members is effected by strong brushes 123 with wear-resistant bristles. Said brushes are formed after the platform, see FIG. 11, so that the brushes, for example, are extended at the groove 131 (FIG. 13) for the chain. The brushes seal effectively against the material, but the friction and flexibility exceed considerably that ofa rubber sealing.

The front brush is mounted in an inspection cover 125 at the front end wall 124. Said cover 125 is hinged down on supports 126 on the side flaps and can at inspection be hinged up against the front end wall 124. Said upward hinge 127 may also be carried out when it is desired better to utilize the entire platform length at the loading of material on pallets or of box shape.

The rear brush 123 is mounted in a bracket 128 on back door 129 which can be swung against the side flap in hinges 130, see also FIG. 10. The platform bottom in FIG. 13 is provided with grooves 131 for chain 111. The dog members 116 rest on the shoulder 132 on groove 131 and on side section 133 and intermediate section 134. The sections 133 and 134 as well as the shoulder 132 on groove 131, thus, constitute wearing rails which easily can be exchanged. The dog members 116 are manufactured of a square section, for example of a tube with the dimension 38 38 mm. and a material thickness of 3 mm. The dog member, thus, scrapes off material at the same time as material can be placed thereon without being damaged. The bottom 117 provides a complete sealing against splashes or the like from the lower side. The bottom 117 can be reinforced by a whole bottom of wood or be supported on sparcely arranged girders 135 resting on a crossbeam 136 which in its turn is mounted in the longitudinal sidehcams 121.

At the traction means 149 (kingpin) of the semitrailer, see FIGS. 9, 11 and 12, a transverse frame 137 with reinforcements is mounted. Vertical support plates connect the transverse frame 137 with the crossbeams 136 and transverse tubes 140. At the transverse frame 137 the chain 111 is bent upwards via plates 141 and 142. In the same way the space for the chain is reduced at the rear wheels 143 by a transverse frame 144 and plates 145 for chain control.

Transverse tubes 140 and 146 reinforce the mountings and bearings for the chain wheels 112 and 113.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show the conveyor platform according to the invention in a series-produced embodiment of box design. The box can be mounted on any type of chassis. When order ing, only the desired box length is to be stated. Owing to the aforesaid raising of the chain over the rear wheels, the height h of the box can be kept low whereby the platform height H above ground can be made lower, i.e., equal to that of other trucks and equal to the height of the loading ramps. The box may be manufactured ofa plain metal sheet 147 with longitudinal beams 148 possibly rolled into the same metal sheet 147. The metal sheet 147 is reinforced by crossbeams 136 and possibly by girders 135, see FIG. 13.

The metal sheet 147 alternatively may be designed without grooves 131, but with the chain sunk in dog members 116. The design may also be entirely according to FIG. 13. By raising the chain 111 and dog members 116 at rear wheels 143 and 149, the lowest possible assembly height h of the com veyor platform is obtained.

In the case of reversible operation, the driving of the conveyor must be effected both at the front end and on the rear end, i.e., at the chain wheel 112 as well as at the chain wheel 113. By placing the chain wheels on a common shaft, a friction-clutch suitably can be built in between the chain wheels and the shaft 150 for protecting a single chain 111 against overload.

The chain is driven, for example, by a hydraulic motor 151 via shaft 150, but it may, of course, also be driven by an electromotor or internal-combustion engine with a reduction gear. The front end wall 152 and flaps 153 may be mounted on the platform box in pole holes 154, 155 and 156 and may, of course, be provided with a rear cover.

The conveyor platform according to the invention may, of course, be built-in in the same dimensions as a standard container. It is built-in as a bottom of the same, thereby rendering it possible that the container itself can load and unload. The driving then is effected by an electromotor or internal-combustion engine.

The construction work of flaps, etc., usually is carried out at the place of mounting, which facilitates the production in series of boxes of the conveyor platform.

By the invention the conveyor belt can so be divided that the chassis beam substantially carries the longitudinal staying. The chassis beams support the crossbeams of the platform bottom via a pair of lightweight fastening beams constituting merely a normal frame reinforcement, or alternatively directly. When three conveyor belts are being used, one can be placed between the chassis beams and two outside thereof, the upper surface of the conveyor chain running over the crossbeams and the lower surface below the same.

The conveyor chain is carried in the front and rear chain pinion and rests with its remaining part against a guide bar in known manner. The driving of the conveyor chain may be effected by one hydraulic motor for all conveyor belts coupled together, or preferably by a hydraulic motor for every conveyor chain. For obtaining a construction of a still lighter weight, the drive can be connected directly in the form of a mechanic transfer and a reduction gear from the power takeoff the vehicle. Alternatively, the drive, of course, may be connected from a drive source operating outside the vehicle.

The bottom of plain sheet metal or plywood which is required at all circumstances need be provided only with simple lightweight guide bars for chain support. By a conveyor platform according to the invention a construction of light weight and low height is obtained which owing to the lower platform weight allows for a higher loading capacity of the vehicle.

At the present time, in view of the sharp competition in transportation, an increase of the transport capacity of a vehicle is of high economic importance for its owner.

By the loading arrangement according to the invention, the loading so is carried out that the material is introduced from a stationary conveyor belt to the rear end of the platform whereafter the material is pulled in forward direction on the platform by means of one or several of the conveyor belts of the platform. At unloading the load is pushed off the platform to a roller conveyor by conveyor belts of the platform. When the conveyor speed is chosen to be, for example, 2 dm./sec., a platform is loaded or unloaded within 30 seconds. This probably is one of the shortest loading and unloading times which at present can be obtained for sensitive material. Unloading directly onto the ground and pulling up of containers can be carried out by a simple auxiliary unit to the invention which comprises a hinged rear flap, on which conveyor chains are placed in direct connection to conveyor chains of the platform bottom. The invention, of course, can be varied in many ways within the scope ofits idea.

I claim:

1. A conveyor apparatus comprising a plurality of endless chain conveyors in coplanar parallel array and each conveyor having a series ofspaced dogs:

a respective motive power means for each conveyor and said motive power means being selectively operable;

a supporting frame substantially encompassing said conveyors and means extending from said supporting frame to support said conveyors within said frame so as to effect a portable plural conveyor unit for use in selected instal lations;

wherein said conveyors comprise endless chains in vertical planes and said dogs are carried by said chains in upper and lower flights; said frame having spaced roller means about which said chains rotate at the upstream and downstream ends of said conveyor;

said frame having a platform intermediate the upper and lower flights of all said chains and in close sliding proximity to the dogs on the upper flights thereof so that bulk material will be swept by said dogs on said platform for conveyance from the upstream to downstream ends of said conveyors with all said conveyors operating simultaneously;

and wherein a single conveyor may be operated for transporting discrete articles with the other conveyors inoperative, said platform having longitudinally extending grooves for accommodating said chains whereby said chains move in said grooves substantially coplanarly with said platform; respective brush means extending downwardly into said grooves to effect a seal therefor and being of sufficient length and flexibility so that dogs may pass through said brush means in the operation of said apparatus.

2. A conveyor apparatus comprising a plurality of endless chain conveyors in coplanar parallel array and each conveyor having a series of spaced dogs;

a respective motive power means for each conveyor and said motive power means being selectively operable;

a supporting frame substantially encompassing said conveyors and means extending from said supporting frame to support said conveyors within said frame so as to effect a portable plural conveyor unit for use in selected installations;

wherein said conveyors comprise endless chains in vertical planes and said dogs are carried by said chains in upper and lower flights; said frame having spaced roller means about which said chains rotate at the upstream and downstream ends ofsaid conveyor;

said frame having a platform intermediate the upper and lower flights of all said chains and in close sliding roximity to the dogs on the upper flights thereof so t at bulk material will be swept by said dogs on said platform for conveyance from the upstream to downstream ends of said conveyors with all said conveyors operating simultaneously;

and wherein a single conveyor may be operated for transporting discrete articles with the other conveyors inoperative, said platform having longitudinally extending grooves for accommodating said chains whereby said chains move in said grooves substantially coplanarly with said platform; said grooves comprising channel members having horizontal shoulders slideably engaged by said dogs to effect wear rails.

3. A conveyor apparatus comprising a plurality of endless chain conveyors in coplanar parallel array and each conveyor having a series of spaced dogs;

a respective motive power means for each conveyor and said motive power means being selectively operable;

a supporting frame substantially encompassing said conveyors and means extending from said supporting frame to support said conveyors within said frame so as to effect a portable plural conveyor unit for use in selected installations;

wherein said conveyors comprise endless chains in vertical planes and said dogs are carried by said chains in upper and lower flights; said frame having spaced roller means about which said chains rotate at the upstream and downstream ends of said conveyor;

said frame having a platform intermediate the upper and lower flights of all said chains and in close sliding proximity to the dogs on the upper flights thereof so that bulk material will be swept by said dogs on said platform for conveyance from the upstream to downstream ends of said conveyors with all said conveyors operating simultaneously;

and wherein a single conveyor may be operated for transporting discrete articles with the other conveyors inoperative, said platform having longitudinally extending grooves for accommodating said chains whereby said chains move in said grooves substantially coplanarly with said platform; including brush means extending downwardly into said grooves to effect a seal therefor and being of sufficient length and flexibility so that dogs may pass through said brush means in the operation of said apparatus there being one such brush means at the upstream side of said conveyors and another said brush means at the downstream side of said conveyors; at least one said brush means being mounted on a cover over an end of said conveyors and means whereby said cover is movably mounted to expose said end ofsaid conveyors.

Inc) 

1. A conveyor apparatus comprising a plurality of endless chain conveyors in coplanar parallel array and each conveyor having a series of spaced dogs: a respective motive power means for each conveyor and said motive power means being selectively operable; a supporting frame substantially encompassing said conveyors and means extending from said supporting frame to support said conveyors within said frame so as to effect a portable plural conveyor unit for use in selected installations; wherein said conveyors comprise endless chains in vertical planes and said dogs are carried by said chains in upper and lower flights; said frame having spaced roller means about which said chains rotate at the upstream and downstream ends of said conveyor; said frame having a platform intermediate the upper and lower flights of all said chains and in close sliding proximity to the dogs on the upper flights thereof so that bulk material will be swept by said dogs on said platform for conveyance from the upstream to downstream ends of saId conveyors with all said conveyors operating simultaneously; and wherein a single conveyor may be operated for transporting discrete articles with the other conveyors inoperative, said platform having longitudinally extending grooves for accommodating said chains whereby said chains move in said grooves substantially coplanarly with said platform; respective brush means extending downwardly into said grooves to effect a seal therefor and being of sufficient length and flexibility so that dogs may pass through said brush means in the operation of said apparatus.
 2. A conveyor apparatus comprising a plurality of endless chain conveyors in coplanar parallel array and each conveyor having a series of spaced dogs; a respective motive power means for each conveyor and said motive power means being selectively operable; a supporting frame substantially encompassing said conveyors and means extending from said supporting frame to support said conveyors within said frame so as to effect a portable plural conveyor unit for use in selected installations; wherein said conveyors comprise endless chains in vertical planes and said dogs are carried by said chains in upper and lower flights; said frame having spaced roller means about which said chains rotate at the upstream and downstream ends of said conveyor; said frame having a platform intermediate the upper and lower flights of all said chains and in close sliding proximity to the dogs on the upper flights thereof so that bulk material will be swept by said dogs on said platform for conveyance from the upstream to downstream ends of said conveyors with all said conveyors operating simultaneously; and wherein a single conveyor may be operated for transporting discrete articles with the other conveyors inoperative, said platform having longitudinally extending grooves for accommodating said chains whereby said chains move in said grooves substantially coplanarly with said platform; said grooves comprising channel members having horizontal shoulders slideably engaged by said dogs to effect wear rails.
 3. A conveyor apparatus comprising a plurality of endless chain conveyors in coplanar parallel array and each conveyor having a series of spaced dogs; a respective motive power means for each conveyor and said motive power means being selectively operable; a supporting frame substantially encompassing said conveyors and means extending from said supporting frame to support said conveyors within said frame so as to effect a portable plural conveyor unit for use in selected installations; wherein said conveyors comprise endless chains in vertical planes and said dogs are carried by said chains in upper and lower flights; said frame having spaced roller means about which said chains rotate at the upstream and downstream ends of said conveyor; said frame having a platform intermediate the upper and lower flights of all said chains and in close sliding proximity to the dogs on the upper flights thereof so that bulk material will be swept by said dogs on said platform for conveyance from the upstream to downstream ends of said conveyors with all said conveyors operating simultaneously; and wherein a single conveyor may be operated for transporting discrete articles with the other conveyors inoperative, said platform having longitudinally extending grooves for accommodating said chains whereby said chains move in said grooves substantially coplanarly with said platform; including brush means extending downwardly into said grooves to effect a seal therefor and being of sufficient length and flexibility so that dogs may pass through said brush means in the operation of said apparatus there being one such brush means at the upstream side of said conveyors and another said brush means at the downstream side of said conveyors; at least one said brush means being mounted on a cover over an end of said conveyors and means whereby said cover is movably mounted to expose said end of said conveyOrs. 